KUALA TERENGGANU, March 30 (Bernama) -- Terengganu's new menteri besar Datuk Ahmad Said Sunday paid tribute to his predecessor Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, saying he had charted the state's development in various fields.

He said Idris had brought much renewal which the people of Terengganu would appreciate and remember.

Ahmad said that as an old friend, considering that both of them had been students of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), he was impressed with Idris surpassing him in several fields.

"Datuk Seri Idris was the president of the USM Undergraduates Association of which I became the secretary only two years later. He was an outstanding student of USM and I was just an ordinary student," he said at the handing over of the duty of menteri besar at Wisma Darul Iman, here.

State Secretary Datuk Mokhtar Nong, State Legal Adviser Mohamad Sekeri Mamat, State Financial Officer Datuk Mazlan Ngah and all the 23 Terengganu Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblymen were present at the function. Ahmad pledged to implement the development projects planned by Idris for the well-being of the people of the state.

"I will seek the views of Datuk Seri Idris (in the development of the state), and I feel there is nothing to be embarrassed about," he said.

He expressed his personal appreciation and that of the people of Terengganu to the former menteri besar for having helmed the state over the last four years.

Ahmad said he hoped that everyone would get over the crisis (pertaining to the appointment of the menteri besar) and added that it was time for him and the state executive council as well as BN elected representatives to discharge their responsibility to the people.

He also expressed gratefulness on his appointment and hoped that he would be able to carry out his responsibility well for the sake of the people and the state. "Let bygones be bygones. I trust that we can be together in fulfilling our responsibility to the people in any situation," he said.

Ahmad, 51, who is the assemblyman for Kijal, took his oath of office as the menteri besar today, bringing to an end the crisis over the appointment of the state's menteri besar that erupted on March 10.

Idris, in his brief speech, said he hoped that Ahmad would be able to discharge his duty and responsibility with full commitment.

"I pray that Datuk Ahmad Said will be able to carry out his responsibility with trust and sincerity," he said.

Later, present at a news conference with Ahmad, Idris declined to answer several questions raised by reporters. "We will have a separate news conference later. Let's wind up today first," said the Jertih assemblyman. -- BERNAMA